Storm Iolanthe makes landfall on the Atlantic coast
Live: winds of up to 160 km/h, 40,000 homes without power and rail services suspended across the west. Follow our reporters on the ground.
Cities & climate reporter
3 min read
Waves break over the harbour wall on Monday morning.
Storm Iolanthe made landfall shortly after 6am, bringing gusts of up to 160 km/h to the Atlantic coast. Around 40,000 homes are without power, and rail services across the west have been suspended.
This page is updated as the situation develops. Times are local.
What we know
The storm made landfall just after 6am near the northern tip of the coast.
Around 40,000 homes are without power.
All regional rail services are suspended until at least 4pm.
Schools in three districts are closed.
Safety advice
Authorities advise residents to stay indoors, avoid coastal paths and report fallen power lines rather than approaching them.
Footage from the harbour as the storm reached the coast.
Live updates
Pinned
Rail services suspended until 4pm
The regional rail operator has suspended all services in the west until at least 4pm after trees fell on lines near three stations. Replacement buses are running on two routes.
40,000 homes without power
The grid operator says around 40,000 homes are now without electricity, most of them in coastal districts. Repair crews are waiting for winds to drop below 90 km/h before climbing poles.
Harbour wall overtopped
Our reporter at the harbour says waves have overtopped the sea wall twice in the last half hour. Police have closed the promenade and the car park behind it.
Schools closed in three districts
Education authorities have closed all schools in three coastal districts for the day. Parents are advised to check the regional website for updates on Tuesday.
Gusts of 160 km/h recorded
The weather service recorded a gust of 160 km/h at the lighthouse station, the strongest September reading since records began there in 1961.
What to do if a power line is down
Do not approach fallen lines, even if they look dead. Keep at least ten metres away and call the emergency number for the grid operator.
Flights cancelled at regional airport
All morning departures from the regional airport have been cancelled. Airlines say they will review the afternoon schedule at noon.
Storm makes landfall
Storm Iolanthe made landfall at 6:04am near the northern tip of the coast, according to the weather service. Red warnings remain in place until midnight.
Priya Raman
Cities & climate reporter
Priya reports on cities, heat and the infrastructure we will need to live with both.
